QMI Agency

After eluding criminal charges Friday stemming from a confrontation with a 12-year-old hockey player, Mike Milbury called the incident "an unfortunate misunderstanding."

A magistrate in Brookline, Mass., decided against a request by police to charge Milbury -- a TV analyst and former NHLer ­-- with assault and battery, making threats and disorderly conduct, the Boston Globe reported.

The magistrate, who heard from police and witnesses, concluded there was not enough evidence to bring criminal charges against Milbury, 59.

"Well, that's good that it's over a couple of days before Christmas,'' Milbury told reporters. "It was an unfortunate misunderstanding ...

"At this point, I am just thankful that the court ruled this way, and I am going to go home and get my voice ready to do some carolling."

He also intends to get his voice in tune for the Winter Classic on Jan. 2.

Milbury was excused from his TV duties with CBC and NBC Sports while dealing with the allegations and it was expected he would ease back into work during the next few days.

John Burke, the lawyer for the family of the boy Milbury grabbed, said they were "very disappointed" by the ruling.

"This is about the actions of a 59-year-old man, an ex-NHL hockey player and coach, who had inappropriate actions and reactions toward the activities of a 12-year-old child,'' Burke said.

Milbury went on the ice at a minor hockey game to break up an altercation between his 12-year-old son and a player on the opposing team.

Milbury told the Boston newspaper he merely grabbed the other player by his uniform to pull him away from his son.

''No one was punched, kicked, or assaulted in any way. I know the 'Mad Mike' image that I have and all that. I love the game, I'm passionate about it, but I don't smack kids around."